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Yeah, it was WPIX where I first saw The Life of Riley too, and they ran it at 4 in the morning. I lived in southern New Jersey most of my life! And like Carlos, I remember the whistling theme to the Gleason version. But then I like whistling many many other TV themes too -- even in public! :D

I wouldn't buy any Life of Riley shows on video, but this bit of nostalgia typing about it is interesting. In the late 1970s, I first saw the Jackie Gleason version. The production values were lower and I seem to recall everything being filmed on sets -- no outdoor photography. The theme music...

I've seen both versions in reruns in the 70s and 80s too. The Jackie Gleason version was one of the earliest filmed sitcoms (1949 to 1950 season), predating even I Love Lucy. However, it was William Bendix who originated the role of Chester Riley on radio in 1943. In 1948 Bendix also...